Paper box construction

ABSTRACT

A generally rectangular paper box having first and second closure panels with side webs between the panels at the upper end of each of the sides, a first stiffener on the first panel and a second stiffener on the second panel, the first panel adapted to underlie the second stiffener in order to close the box, the second stiffener and second panel having triangular cut-out sections, one leg of each of the triangles being at an angle to the web adjacent thereto and spaced apart therefrom, the leg being inclined away from the web adjacent thereto in the upward direction. There is also provided a centrally located longitudinal slot in the first panel and the first stiffener, an opening in the second panel and the second stiffener which is at least partly in register with the slot when the box is closed, a handle having a stop which bears against the underside of the first stiffener, the handle projecting through the slot and adapted to pass through the hole when the box is closed. The first stiffener and panel are folded substantially perpendicularly to the front panel and the webs are folded inwardly to abut the first panel and the second stiffener, thereby forming points, the second panel and stiffener being folded substantially perpendicularly to the back panel to close the box. In a preferred form of the device there are slits in the first panel and stiffener through which the points pass so that they lie beneath the first panel.

United States Patent 1 Kleinhaut 1541 PAPER BOX CONSTRUCTION [75]Inventor: Samuel Kleinhaut, Forest Hills, N .Y.

[73] Assignee: Bagprint Ltd.

[22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 178,679

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.155,202, June 21,

1971, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 229/52 A, 229/38, 229/54 R,

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany 229/38 11] 3,729,127 451 Apr.24, 19 73 Primary ExaminerSamuel B. Rothberg Assistant Examiner-StephenMarcus Attorney-Jordan B. Bierman et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A generally rectangular paper box having first and secondclosure panels with side webs between the panels at the upper end ofeach of the sides, a first stiffener on the first panel and a secondstiffener on the second panel, the first panel adapted to underlie thesecond stiffener in order to close the box, the second stiffener andsecond panel having triangular cut-out sections, one leg of each of thetriangles being at an angle to the web adjacent thereto and spaced aparttherefrom, the leg being inclined away from the web adjacent thereto inthe upward direction. There is also provided a centrally locatedlongitudinal slot in the first panel and the first stiffener, an openingin the second panel and the second stiffener which is at least partly inregister with the slot when the box is closed, a' handle having a stopwhich bears against the underside of the first stiffener, thehandleprojecting through the slot and adapted to pass through the hole whenthe box is closed. The first stiffener and panel are foldedsubstantially perpendicularly to the front panel and the webs are foldedinwardly to abut the first panel and the second stiffener, therebyforming points, the second panel and stiffener being foldedsubstantially perpendicularly to the back panel to close the box. In apreferred form of the device there are slits in the first panel andstiffener through which the points pass so that they lie beneath thefirst panel.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented April 24, 1973 I 3,729,121

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvv EN 'r 0R. Jw/Va 44 04/444 Mr A A ATTORNEYS PatentedApril 24, 1973 3,729,127

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PAPER BOX CONSTRUCTION This is a continuation-in-partapplication of copending application Ser. No. 155202 of June 21, 1971now abandoned.

The present invention relates to the field of paper box construction andmore specifically is directed to an of obtaining a neat tight closurewhich can be effected by the sales person without undue difficulty.Moreover,

, it is preferable that the box be capable of being opened again andreclosed and sealed so that additional articles, purchased perhaps atanother department of the same store, can be inserted.

I The tight closure is required not only for neatness and appearance butalso to prevent rain, snow or the like from entering the box anddamaging the contents.

The present invention provides such a box which is easy to fold, betterlooking and can be locked securely in the closed position in a simpleand economical manner. Additionally, the box can easily be reopened andrescaled an indefinite number of times.

The present invention consists of a paper box comprising a front and aback with sides connecting them. The upper parts of the front and backconstitute a first closure panel and a second closure panelrespectively, and side webs are provided between the panels at the upperend of each of the sides. A first stiffener is on the first panel and acorresponding second stiffener is on the second panel. The first panelis adapted to underlie the second stiffener when the box is in theclosed position.

The second stiffener and second panel have cut-out sectionssubstantially in the form of triangles, and one leg of each of thetriangles is at an angle to the web adjacent thereto. The leg is spacedapart from the web and is inclined away from the web in the upwarddirection.

There is a substantially centrally located longitudinal slot in thefirst panel and stiffener and an opening in the second panel andstiffener which is at least partly in register with the slot when thebox is closed.

A handle is provided which has at least one stop, which stop bearsagainst the underside of the first stiffener. The handle projectsthrough the slot and is adapted to pass through the hole when the box isclosed. The first stiffener and panel are folded substantiallyperpendicularly to the front and the webs are then folded inwardly toabut the first panel and the second dle. In a still more preferredembodiment, the opening is larger than the cross-section of the arm ofthe handle passing through and there is provided at least one nose onthe handle which overlies the second panel when the box is closed. Thisfeature aids in retaining the box in its closed position by positivelyholding it between the stops on the underside of the first stiffener andthe nose or noses on the upperside of the second panel.

In order to virtually eliminate any possibility of rain or snow enteringthe box through the opening and the slot (through both of which thehandle passes), it has been found advantageous to have the opening inregister with the slot only at the point or points through which thehandle passes.

As a still further feature of the present invention, holes preferably inthe form of slits are provided through the first panel and the firststiffener. These holes are so located as to be able to receive thepoints which were formed by the inward folding of the webs. The pointsare passed through the holes so that the base portions of the websoverlie the first panel while the points pass through the holes andunderlie the first stiffener and panel. In this manner, an extremelytight and secure box is obtained. The cut-out sections assist in theformation of the points, and at the same time minimize the thickness ofthe outer end of the second panel and stiffener so that it lies veryflat. The points passing through the holes lock the box so that evenshould the second panel and stiffener come loose there is still no wayfor foreign materials to find their way into first hinge. The thirdstiffener is most preferably glued to the front only near its ends.

The third stiffener provides additional resistance to crushingespecially when heavy objects such as overcoats are to be carried. Inaddition, the omission of glue except at the ends of the third stiffenermakes it easier to fold the first and third stiffeners on the hingetherebetween.

In the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof and in whichlike characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the box in its open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the box showing the first step inclosing;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing one of the websfolded in and one .of the points inserted;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the box in itscompletely closed position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the box showing the stiffeners as beingshorter and narrower and the panels to which they are attached.

Paper box 1 is composed of front 2 and back 3, which are connected bysides 4. There is also provided a bottom, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

At the upper part of front 2 is first closure panel 20 having a firststiffener 5 affixed thereto. At the upper part of back 3 is secondclosure panel 21 to which is affixed second stiffener 6. Second panel 21and second stiffener 6 are provided with triangular cut-out sections 8and, in a preferred form of the invention, first closure panel 20 andfirst stiffener 5 are provided with slits 7.

First panel 20 and first stiffener 5 have slot located substantiallycentrally thereof. Second panel 21 and second stiffener 6 have acorresponding opening 16.

Handle 14 with stops 19 passes through slot 15, as shown in FIG. 1.

In order to close the box, panel and stiffener 5 are folded on firsthinge 12 to assume the position shown in FIG. 2. Webs 23 are folded overon fold 17 to form points 18, and then down on fold 9. The elements onpanel 21, which are formed by cutout 8, are folded inwardly on fold 10.The points are inserted in slit 7, which extends through the edge ofpanel 20, by lifting the inner edge of the slit (note FIG. 4) andinserting the edge formed at fold 17 in the outermost portion of slit 7.The elements formed by cutouts 8, are folded down on fold 11 as panel 21is folded down on its hinge (See FIG. 2).

Then points 18 are passed through slits 7 so that they underlie panel 20and stiffener 5.

Panel 21 and stiffener 6 are then folded down on second hinge 13, asshown in FIG. 6, while handle 14 is passed through opening 16. Noses 22overlie panel 21, thereby locking the box securely in its closedposition.

In a preferred form of the invention, third stiffener 24 is connected bya hinge 25 to first stiffener 5 and affixed to front 2. This helpsprevent collapse of the paper box ifa heavy load is carried therein.

It has also been found advantageous to affix stiffener 24 to front 2only at its ends, as by patches 26 of glue. This provides a certainamount of give" when panel 20 is folded along hinge l2 and makes thefolding easi- As shown in FIG. 7, stiffeners 5 and 6 may be made shorterand narrower then the panels to which they are affixed. The size andshape of these stiffeners are dependant upon the amount of structuralstrength required in panels 20 and 21. The amount of strength requiredin these panels will depend upon the intended use of the box andtherefore, the size of these stiffeners may be altered accordingly.

While only a limited number of embodiments of this invention have beenspecifically described, such changes as would produce improved resultsmay be made without departing therefrom. For example, the secondstiffener can advantageously be made somewhat shorter and/or narrowerthan the second panel. It has been found that this reduction in sizeaids in the folding of the box and assists it in lying flat when closed.

This and other changes may be made in the foregoing invention withoutdepartment from the scope or spirit thereof and this invention is to bebroadly construed and not to be limited except by the character of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A paper box comprising a front and a back, sides connecting saidfront and said back, the upper parts of each of said front and said backconstituting a first closure panel and a second closure panelrespectively, side webs between said panels at the upper end of each ofsaid sides, a first stiffener on said first panel and a second stiffeneron said second panel, said first panel adapted to underlie said secondstiffener when said box is closed, said second stiffener and said secondpanel having cut-out sections substantially in the form of triangles,one leg of each of said triangles being at an angle to the web adjacentthereto and spaced apart therefrom, said leg inclined away from said webadjacent thereto in the upward direction, a substantially centrallylocated, longitudinal slot in said first panel and said first stiffener,an opening in said second panel and said second stiffener, said openingbeing at least partly in register with said slot when said box isclosed, a handle having at least one stop, said stop bearing against theunderside of said first stiffener, said handle projecting through saidslot and adapted to pass through said opening when said box is closed,said first stiffener and panel being folded substantiallyperpendicularly to said front, said webs being folded inwardly to abutsaid first panel and said second stiffener thereby forming points, saidsecond panel and stiffener being folded substantially perpendicularly tosaid back to close said box.

2. A paper box according to claim 1 wherein said handle has two stops,each of said stops constituting an enlargement at or adjacent the lowerend of each arm of said handle.

3. A paper box according to claim 2 wherein said opening is larger thanthe cross-section of said handle passing therethrough, a nose on saidhandle adapted to overlie said second panel when said box is closed,whereby said second panel is retained in closed positron.

4. A paper box according to claim 2 wherein said opening is in registerwith said slot only at or adjacent the ends thereof.

5. A paper box according to claim 4 wherein there are a pair of saidnoses each overlying said second panel at one of said ends when said boxis closed.

6. A paper box according to claim 1 wherein said first panel and saidfirst stiffener have holes therethrough, said points passing throughsaid holes to lie beneath said first panel.

7. A paper box according to claim 6 wherein said points lie beneath saidfirst stiffener.

8. A paper box according to claim 1 wherein said second stiffener isshorter and narrower than said second panel.

9. A paper box according to claim 8 wherein both of said stiffeners areshorter and narrower than their respective panels.

10. A paper box according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a thirdstiffener on said front hingedly connected to said first stiffener.

11. A paper box according to claim 10 wherein said third stiffener isaffixed to said front adjacent said webs only.

1. A paper box comprising a front and a back, sides connecting saidfront and said back, the upper parts of each of said front and said backconstituting a first closure panel and a second closure panelrespectively, side webs between said panels at the upper end of each ofsaid sides, a first stiffener on said first panel and a second stiffeneron said second panel, said first panel adapted to underlie said secondstiffener when said box is closed, said second stiffener and said secondpanel having cutout sections substantially in the form of triangles, oneleg of each of said triangles being at an angle to the web adjacentthereto and spaced apart therefrom, said leg inclined away from said webadjacent thereto in the upward direction, a substantially centrallylocated, longitudinal slot in said first panel and said first stiffener,an opening in said second panel and said second stiffener, said openingbeing at least partly in register with said slot when said box isclosed, a handle having at least one stop, said stop bearing against theunderside of said first stiffener, said handle projecting through saidslot and adapted to pass through said opening when said box is closed,said first stiffener and panel being folded substantiallyperpendicularly to said front, said webs being folded inwardly to abutsaid first panel and said second stiffener thereby forming points, saidsecond panel and stiffener being folded substantially perpendicularly tosaid back to close said box.
 2. A paper box according to claim 1 whereinsaid handle has two stops, each of said stops constituting anenlargement at or adjacent the lower end of each arm of said handle. 3.A paper box according to claim 2 wherein said opening is larger than thecross-section of said handle passing therethrough, a nose on said handleadapted to overlie said second panel when said box is closed, wherebysaid second panel is retained in closed position.
 4. A paper boxaccording to claim 2 wherein said opening is in register with said slotonly at or adjacent the ends thereof.
 5. A paper box according to claim4 wherein there are a pair of said noses each overlying said secondpanel at one of said ends when said box is closed.
 6. A paper boxaccording to claim 1 wherein said first panel and said first stiffenerhave holes therethrough, said points passing through said holes to liebeneath said first panel.
 7. A paper box according to claim 6 whereinsaid points lie beneath said first stiffener.
 8. A paper box accordingto claim 1 wherein said second stiffener is shorter and narrower thansaid second panel.
 9. A paper box according to claim 8 wherein both ofsaid stiffeners are shorter and narrower than their respective panels.10. A paper box according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a thirdstiffener on said front hingedly connected to said first stiffener. 11.A paper box according to claim 10 wherein said third stiffener isaffixed to said front adjacent said webs only.